A clam is a bivalve mollusk. The word "clam" has no real taxonomic significance in biology. However in the United States the word can sometimes be used to mean any bivalve mollusk. It more properly refers to a bivalve other than an oyster, mussel, or scallop, and that has a more-and-less oval shape, or a freshwater mussel.

The word clam is also very often used to mean any one of many edible bivalve species which live buried in mud or sand and communicates to the water by means of a siphon, hence, "digging for clams" or clam digging. Not all edible clams are round or oval in shape: the razor clam has an elongated shell whose shape suggests a straight razor.

In October 2007 an Arctica islandica clam caught off the coast of Iceland was discovered to be at least 405 years old,and was declared the world's oldest living animal by researchers from Bangor University,

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CLAM POEM

You will find the tiny cans up on the rack

Of your local grocery store, way towards the back

Where they hide all the food that no one wants to eat

Like sauerkraut and prune juice, potted meat and pickled beets

The nutrition facts are scanty, the serving size is small

The calories are twenty, but label tells it all,

Though the Gorton's man is smiling as he steers his little boat,

The words below the trademark bring a lump to my throat.

"Minced Clams, Minced Clams," screams the yellow label,

While families across the country serve you at their table,

The painful truth is hidden beneath the cheerful metal tin,

But even lots of cream sauce can't cover up the sin.

So although the battle wanes and the troops have gotten small

Let's rip off all the labels at the local food store stall

And set free future clams from being minced in their bed

By hoping some poor shopper grabs Tasty Cat instead.

Author: Unknown

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Hello Internet Surfers, I'm Snappy the Clam!

Welcome to my clammy page.

Did you know that a lot of humans eat clams? Well they do...and I found out that the Butter Clam is the best clam for clam chowders!

Popular Clam Recipes (see bottom of page)

New England Clam Chowder

Linguine with clams

Clam Antipasto

Clam Dip

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Manila Clam -Also known as the "Japanese Littleneck." The shells (valves) are more oblong than that of the Native Littleneck. Abundant just below the surface in sheltered bays and tidal flats. Varies from gray to brown, with streaking pattern radiating from the hinge common. "But not as pretty as me of course" Can live up to 14 years, and grows up to 3 inches. Ensure area is safe from red tide before harvesting.

Food: Filter feeder.

Reproduction: Bivalves are typically gonochoristic (having separate male and female individuals), fertilization is external, and the developing larva (veliger) settles to the bottom after a time in the plankton. Grows to commercial size in just 2 years.

Fun Facts: This clam was accidentally introduced into Puget Sound in the 1920's in shipments of Pacific Oyster seed stock. Species has out competed Native Littleneck in many places.

Butter Clam - Also known as the "Japanese Littleneck." The shells (valves) are more oblong than that of the Native Littleneck. Abundant just below the surface in sheltered bays and tidal flats. Varies from gray to brown, with streaking pattern radiating from the hinge common. "But, not as pretty as me! " Can live up to 14 years, and grows up to 3 inches. Ensure area is safe from red tide before harvesting.

Food: Filter feeder.

Reproduction: Bivalves are typically gonochoristic (having separate male and female individuals), fertilization is external, and the developing larva (veliger) settles to the bottom after a time in the plankton. Grows to commercial size in just 2 years.

Fun Facts: This clam was accidentally introduced into Puget Sound in the 1920's in shipments of Pacific Oyster seed stock. Species has out competed Native Littleneck in many places.

Reproduction: Bivalves are typically gonochoristic (having separate male and female individuals), fertilization is external, and the developing larva (veliger) settles to the bottom after a time in the plankton.

Fun Facts: Valves have a sharp bend line along one edge.

Bent-Nosed Clam - Description: A thin shelled white clam found buried 4 to 6 inches in the mud of sheltered bays and tidal flats. Lies on its side. Faint growth rings. Twin long orange siphons. Grows up to 2 inches in diameter.

Food: Filter feeder specializing in detritus.

Reproduction: Bivalves are typically gonochoristic (having separate male and female individuals), fertilization is external, and the developing larva (veliger) settles to the bottom after a time in the plankton.

Fun Facts: When viewed edge-on valves are bent at an angle.

Soft-Shell Clam -Description: Thin, very brittle, elongated shells which are white to gray in color. "Ummmm, I'm prettier than this one too! "Found buried 4 to 8 inched in mud and sand in sheltered bays and tidal flats. Long siphon does not retract fully. Prefers areas of low salinity such as the mouths of rivers. Grows up to 4 inches.

Food: Filter feeder.

Reproduction: Bivalves are typically gonochoristic (having separate male and female individuals), fertilization is external, and the developing larva (veliger) settles to the bottom after a time in the plankton.

Fun Facts: This species is believed to have been introduced from the Atlantic Ocean sometime around the 1920's.

Horse Clam - Description: Also known as the "Fat Gaper." Shells chalky white edged with dark flaky covering called periostracum. Shells sometimes stained dark by iron sulfides in the mud. "I' know I'm prettier than this one." Valves gape apart around siphon which cannot retract fully. Found up to 20 inches below surface in intertidal zone. When exposed at low tide this clam can be seen spitting jets of water into the air when disturbed. Can grow up to 10 inches locally. Ensure area is safe from red tide before harvesting.

Food: Filter feeder.

Reproduction: Bivalves are typically gonochoristic (having separate male and female individuals), fertilization is external, and the developing larva (veliger) settles to the bottom after a time in the plankton.

Fun Facts: This clam is often home to two tiny Pea Crabs which live inside its shell.

Black Clam - Maximum length: 12,7 cm.

Appearance: The shell is round and very thick. The brown-black surface layer is usually worn away when the shell is washed up on to the beach.

Depth: 2 - 200 m.

Environment: Lives usually dug down into the sandy or clayey bottoms. The shell is quite common on the beach.

Fun Facts: Black clams grow slowly and can be very old. In the Gullmarsfjord (Swedish west coast) an individual has been found that was 132 years old.

Classification: The black clam is part of bivalve group under the molluscs.

Do you want to read more about the Black Clam? I found a great information page listed here. Black Clam

New England Clam Chowder

1/3 Stick of Butter

1 sm. Chopped Onion

6.5 oz. Chopped/Minced clams

15 oz. can clam juice

2 Medium Potatoes

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 Stalk of Fresh Celery (chopped)

1/2 tsp. Dill

1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

2 Cups Half & Half

3 Tbsp. Flour

Melt butter in soup pot and saute celery and onions until translucent.

Add the can of juice along with the juice drained from clams to the pot. Add potatoes, dill, pepper, and salt to the pot and boil until potatoes are done, but firm.

Dissolve flour into the half and half and combine with other ingredients.